River flows disrupt Gwayi-Shangani Dam project

PLACEMENT of the concrete slab on the river bed as part of construction work on the Gwayi-Shangani Dam has been suspended due to river flows in the area, the country’s water authority has said.

Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) corporate communications and marketing manager Mrs Marjorie Munyonga, however, said construction work remained on course.

In a statement on Friday, Mrs Munyonga said work had now been redirected towards other areas of the dam construction.

Mrs Munyonga said placement of concrete on the river bed now at 80 percent complete, would resume when the river flows subside.

Placement of the concrete slab on the river bed started on 20 October with the initial target being to complete the exercise before the onset of the rains.

Rainfall activity has forced the water authority to revise its target.

“Placement of concrete on the riverbed is currently suspended because of the river flows being experienced. However, major work is taking place off the river bed where the crushing of stones for concrete is ongoing.

“Also taking place is the casting of the precast form works that shall be used for the inspection and drainage galleries on the dam.

“Once the river flows subside, placement of concrete on the riverbed will resume,” she said.

Construction work at Gwayi-Shangani Dam had stalled in 2013 owing to financial challenges.

Work, however, resumed in July this year after Treasury released funds for the payment of the contractor’s arrears and the resumption work. China International Water and Electric Corporation is the contractor at GwayiShangani Dam.

The Gwayi-Shangani Dam will have a capacity of 635 million cubic metres of water and will enhance irrigation in Matabeleland North.

Upon completion, Gwayi-Shangani will become the country’s third largest inland water body after Tokwe-Mukosi and Lake Mutirikwi.

Mrs Munyonga said completion of the Gwayi-Shangani dam, a critical component of the National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project, would be a significant step in finding a lasting solution to Bulawayo’s water constraints.

“The dam is a critical component of the National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project, which is considered the long term solution for Bulawayo’s water challenges.

“The National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project consists of the dam and pipeline to Bulawayo with an envisaged green belt being established 40 kilometres on either sides of the pipeline,” said Mr Munyonga.

She added that the dam would also have the capacity to generate up to six megawatts of electricity.

With a capacity of 635 million cubic metres of water, Gwayi-Shangani dam is expected to unlock critical socio-economic development for Matabeleland North Province through the supply of irrigation water for surrounding communities.

The completion of Gwayi-Shangani Dam is among the key benchmarks Government set for the Infrastructure and Utilities Cluster under the Zimbabwe Agenda for SocioEconomic Transformation (Zim Asset).